Wiggles' Celebration Tour stops at Oakdale Theatre

Published 4:29 pm, Thursday, August 9, 2012

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One of the most popular kids' groups in the world, the Wiggles, comes to Wallingford on Tuesday, Aug. 14. From left, Yellow Wiggle Greg Page, Blue Wiggle and group founder Anthony Field, Red Wiggle Murray Cook and Purple Wiggle Jeff Fatt. less

One of the most popular kids' groups in the world, the Wiggles, comes to Wallingford on Tuesday, Aug. 14. From left, Yellow Wiggle Greg Page, Blue Wiggle and group founder Anthony Field, Red Wiggle Murray Cook ... more

Photo: Contributed Photo

Wiggles' Celebration Tour stops at Oakdale Theatre

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After the 2012 tour, the original Wiggles' lineup will be no more.

But this band of four merry Australian men -- arguably the world's most famous children's entertainment group -- says it is content with its plans to reshape the group. Nay, it is ecstatic.

To prove the point, the group has embarked on a Celebration Tour, which comes to Toyota Presents Oakdale, in Wallingford, on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 14.

Page says the group's international fan base is made up of "children aged 18 months to 5 years, but we have a LOT of older (and younger) fans too," he wrote in an email interview.

The Wiggles estimate that in the United States alone, they have a fan base of more than 1.5 million. They perform about 200 shows annually on four continents; their television show is broadcast in more than 100 countries.

And if that isn't impressive enough, the gang has sold about 25 million DVDs and videos, 7 million CDs and 8 million books in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

Since 2008, the four Wiggles have served as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors, focusing on numeracy, literacy and proper sanitation.

How did it all start? In college, where Field, Cook and Page met while studying early childhood education at Sydney's Macquarie University. The three began writing children's songs with the hope that they might actually be employable after finishing college.

For additional help, they turned to Fatt, who had performed with Field in the 1980s band, The Cockroaches. And thus, the Wiggles were hatched.

And now a chapter is ending with the Celebration Tour, and the Sydney-based group wants to party, party party with fans, Page wrote.

Q: When did you sense that the Wiggles had tapped into something wonderful?

A: I think we always knew that we were onto something (that) was different and unique. We didn't really get the sense that it was really going to be as big as it was until we broke into the United States market. That was around 1999. We had been quite big in Australia for a number of years, but it took some time to work our way over to the U.S. When we did though, we were received in such a welcoming way by the people here, that we knew that we were onto something really special.

Q: Why do you think the Wiggles' popularity extends across ethnic, religious, racial, economic and political divides?

A: The Wiggles' appeal lies in its direct approach to children based on solid, early childhood educational principles. The main aim of the Wiggles is to provide developmentally appropriate entertainment to children. This means speaking to children on their level, not speaking down to them or patronizing them, engaging them through empowerment, and making sure that song content and melodies are appropriate for the age-group we are entertaining (which parents appreciate).

Q: Tell me about the decision to move on? Was it difficult?

A: The decision to retire is different for me than for Jeff and Murray. When I was asked to return to the group this year (after a medical leave), it was only ever going to be for a short period of time. In fact, I am staying on longer so that I can finish with Murray and Jeff, who decided to retire after my return this year. I have a young family (four kids at home under the age of 10) and was content to return for a period of time this year so I could have the chance to perform with my founding mates once more. Now that they are stepping down from performing, it seemed like the best decision for us all to finish at the same time.

Q: What's the inside scoop on the Celebration Tour?

A: The show will include songs from the whole 21 years of the Wiggles' history. For anyone who has been to a Wiggles show before (knows), it will involve a lot of audience participation, colour, movement, dancing and songs. It really is like a rock concert for children!

Q: Will your yellow jersey be retired?

A: Emma, the first female Wiggle, will don the yellow jersey. The great thing is that the new Wiggles have different skills and talents to the original Wiggles. They will not be trying to replicate or imitate what we have done as Wiggles, but rather just carry on the tradition of entertaining children in the same way that we have for 21 years."

National S'mores Day -- The Stamford Museum & Nature Center will have fire pits going and S'more fixings on the Meadow in celebration of this non-traditional holiday. Friday, Aug. 10, at 4 p.m. $10, $8 for seniors 65 and older, $6 for students 18 and older, $5 for ages 4-17. At 39 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford. 203-977-6521, info@stamfordmuseum.org, www.stamfordmuseum.org.

Beardsley Zoo Teddy Bear Fest -- Kids can bring their favorite teddy bear to the zoo for a day of crafts and storytelling that focus on bears. Free admission for children younger than 12 who bring their teddy bear and are accompanied by a paying adult. Saturday, Aug. 11, noon-3 p.m. $12, $10 for seniors 62 and older and children ages 3-11, free for children younger than 3. At 1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport. 203-394-6565, www.beardsleyzoo.org.